Results 1 to 25 of 120
Thread: Car replacement dilemma
-
06-16-2022, 12:03 PM #1Dad core
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Back in Seattle
- Posts
- 1,252
Car replacement dilemma
I got into a minor crash with our 2015 Audi Q7 tdi and apparently a front bumper totals the car. High end shop repair quote is 21k, payout is 35k or 21 if I keep the car. I’m not in love with the vehicle but it has served us well and only has 65k miles. Was planning to keep it a few more years until I could go electric. We are selling our travel trailer and downsizing to a tent trailer so don’t need as much towing capacity.
Options under consideration;
1
keep it and get it repaired someplace cheaper then drive into the ground. Pros nice car with known history and great tow vehicle. Cons expensive car to own out of warranty will be hard to sell with a salvage title. Unknown repair time.
2
Buy a cheaper car to hold over until electrics are better. Thinking a 2nd gen highlander hybrid is a good call here. Wants awd, decent mpgs and enough room for activities and family road trips. Faster option
3
Buy something nicer to replace, I have an eye on a Kia Sorento hybrid but they are all pre sold and marked up right now so. New highlander is an option as well but new Toyota seats have been dealbreakers in a few cars I sat in.
Leaning towards option 2 if it passes with the wife. Open to suggestions on cars to consider and other opinions.
-
06-16-2022, 12:15 PM #2
-
06-16-2022, 12:21 PM #3Dad core
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Back in Seattle
- Posts
- 1,252
Can needs a front bumper and a bunch of cooling stuff behind it. I think the transmission cooler got pulled off and leaked so it at needs that fixed before driving.
-
06-16-2022, 12:24 PM #4Registered User
- Join Date
- Mar 2009
- Posts
- 3,260
Go find a local bar that caters to eastern Euros and you'll be able to find someone that can fix the cosmetics for CHEAP if nothing has been wrinkled in the crumple zone and drive it like you stole it and save the $21K for skis, hookers and blow. You should also do some serious shopping and make sure the $31K is a real replacement cost right now for a similar car BEFORE you take the payout either way. Where are you located ? Maybe someone here knows a guy in your area capable of cash price bodywork. You should be able to source a transmission cooler(after market) cheap. You can also just bypass it with a hose for the time being to drive locally.
-
06-16-2022, 12:35 PM #5
-
06-16-2022, 12:35 PM #6Dad core
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Back in Seattle
- Posts
- 1,252
I can buy another one at Craigslist list price for about 35 that won’t have a salvage title. I’m sure I can get it fixed for under 20k but how long will it take?
-
06-16-2022, 12:39 PM #7
A valid question Carl. The Romanians will use whatever parts they can get their hands on, which is usually quicker and way cheaper than OEM stuff assuming you're ok with a rebuilt A/C compressor from a 1981 Citation and a homemade bracket.
"timberridge is terminally vapid" -- a fortune cookie in Yueyang
-
06-16-2022, 12:48 PM #8
-
06-16-2022, 12:49 PM #9Registered User
- Join Date
- Mar 2009
- Posts
- 3,260
-
06-16-2022, 12:56 PM #10
-
06-16-2022, 12:58 PM #11Dad core
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Back in Seattle
- Posts
- 1,252
Pending final numbers but if someone wants it for more than the insurance payout let me know.
-
06-16-2022, 12:59 PM #12
The Romanians could fix that.
How'd it happen? Pass side looks a bit messed but rest of bumper has no impact damage."timberridge is terminally vapid" -- a fortune cookie in Yueyang
-
06-16-2022, 01:05 PM #13
The time frame on bodywork is a real deal now; we hit a deer in our odyssey in March and it’s still not repaired (scale of repair similar to yours, a bit less, 17-18k) Parts availability is fraught, for us it’s hood hinges; they are on back order all over the us for a couple months now.
-
06-16-2022, 01:17 PM #14Dad core
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Back in Seattle
- Posts
- 1,252
Hit on the front right bumper making a left turn in heavy traffic. Problem is there are a bunch of things hidden in the bumper. Fixable for sure if parts can be found. Any cut rate shops in Seattle?
-
06-16-2022, 01:35 PM #15
-
06-16-2022, 01:47 PM #16Dad core
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Back in Seattle
- Posts
- 1,252
Called the body shop and they said frame is bent don’t waste my time.
Best value for car that can take 4 people and gear skiing with decent gas mileage and safety? Awd/4wd required and prefer 3500lbs towing capacity minimum. Higher mileage but reliable ok.
-
06-16-2022, 02:13 PM #17
Jeebus. Little ol love tap and the frame is bent??? They sure don't make em like they used to.
-
06-16-2022, 02:14 PM #18
-
06-16-2022, 02:18 PM #19Dad core
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Back in Seattle
- Posts
- 1,252
17mpg is garbage. I am spoiled by 30 on the highway in the tdi.
-
06-16-2022, 02:25 PM #20
-
06-16-2022, 02:29 PM #21
-
06-16-2022, 02:34 PM #22
We’ve been super happy with my wife’s highlander. She’s at 90,000 miles, had it for 4 years now and have only changed the oil and one set of tires. Dealership is offering us $21k, we bought it used for $24k. Gonna go for a Highlander hybrid. I can’t believe that impact bent the from though, that’s Insane
-
06-16-2022, 02:44 PM #23
-
06-16-2022, 02:47 PM #24Dad core
- Join Date
- Dec 2006
- Location
- Back in Seattle
- Posts
- 1,252
Highlander hybrid is the current lead candidate
-
06-16-2022, 03:59 PM #25
Bookmarks